"Challenges for Space Exploration" Questions

The author points out that our ancestors sailed great distances to unknown places in order to -

• express that it is important to go to new places

• suggest that it is human nature to be explorers

• warn about the risks of going to unknown places

• describe what might have happened to our ancestors

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

In paragraph 5, the author states that we shouldn’t keep our eggs in this increasingly fragile basket. What does she mean?

• We need to create a safer environment on Earth.

• We must focus on the threat of meteor strikes.

• We must increase food production on Earth.

• We need to find other suitable planets to live on.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.7.1

In paragraph 5, the word fragile comes from the Latin root word frangere, which means to —

• break

• weave

• collide

• die

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Which sentence best describes the author’s viewpoint on space exploration?

• The author feels that space exploration would be entertaining.

• The author argues against space exploration because it is dangerous.

• The author tries to convince the reader of the importance of space exploration.

• The author thinks that people need to be persuaded to shove off from the shore.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RI.6.9

The author uses the word hostile in paragraph 3. How does this word choice affect the tone of the piece?

• The author feels that space exploration is dangerous.

• The author feels that spinoff technologies are very large.

• The author feels that boats are still cutting-edge technology.

• The author feels that shoving off from the shore is expensive.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.6.6

What is NOT an arguable claim made by the author?

• It's a huge, dangerous, maybe impossible project.

• I could tell you that we shouldn't keep all our eggs in this increasingly fragile basket--one good meteor strike and we all join the non-avian dinosaurs.

• And have you noticed the weather lately?

• Humanity was born on Earth. Are we going to stay here? I suspect--I hope--the answer is no.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.SL.7.3

Read the sentence from paragraph 2.

Because it's something human beings do.

Which rhetorical device is the author using in this sentence?

• Loaded language

• Direct Address

• Rhetorical question

• Sweeping generalization

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.6.8

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.8

Which two examples of rhetorical devices does the author use to support her argument?

• Asking two questions one right after another: What's up there? Could we go there?

• Use of hyphenation: "cutting-edge technology of their time"

• Repetition of the phrase: I could tell you...

• Making blanket statements such as: Humanity was born on Earth.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.5D